KU Autism Researchers Get $1.2M Grant

Associated Press - July 31, 2013 4:11 am

University of Kansas researchers have received a $1.2 million grant to test whether an iPad voice output application can help children with autism.

The researchers will train pre-schoolers with autism and their classmates to use the app. The researchers want to determine whether the technology can improve their deficits in communication, social reciprocity and play skills.

The four year study will be led by Kathy Thiemann-Bourque, a University of Kansas assistant research professor at the Juniper Gardens Children’s Project in Kansas City, Kansas.

She says many young children with autism have complex communication needs but do not develop functional speech. She has examined both peer training and direct teaching strategies to increase social communication between children with autism and their classmates without disabilities.

Aaron A. Aurora

July 31, 2013 at 9:39 am

Why don’t they study drug use by parents who then have children with autism. Autism was not a problem many years ago before people started drugging. Definately a connection I would think.

Elaine Dawson

July 31, 2013 at 9:48 am

Aaron, they don’t study drug use by parents of children with Autism because there is no scientific evidence of it whatsoever! There is a great majority of parents of children with Autism who have never touched any drug at all, myself included. Your ignorance and vocal opinion is the problem here, not the Autism. Maybe you should educate yourself before you go pointing fingers. The irony of your comment is that even my son with Autism knows not to talk about things he has no knowledge of.

Iggy p Daily

August 1, 2013 at 8:47 am

Really Elaine maybe you should read some more information yourself as there is a link.

Elaine Dawson

August 1, 2013 at 10:11 am

Iggy, please enlighten me on the link! I find it interesting how you claim there is a link between the two while neither my husband nor I have ever done any drugs! You obviously have done more research on the subject than I have. Because in hours and hours of pouring over research to find out why my son has Autism, I haven’t found one thing that even suggests the correlation. Can you post a link to where you are finding your information please? Can you also explain why my other 2 children don’t have Autism, if it is caused by our previous drug use? We really are lucky to have 2 of the leading experts in Autism research right here in our area to help us figure this puzzle out!

Charles Sadler

August 1, 2013 at 2:09 pm

Elaine, you have to realize what Iggy doesn’t know would fill the Library of Congress. He just spouts off to see what happens

do gooder

August 11, 2013 at 6:05 pm

Yes it was a problem years ago, they just didn’t have name for it….. Some people should not say anything at all until you educate one’s self…. IDIOT..